dictation

1[uncountable]the act of speaking or reading so that somebody can write down the words

2[countable,uncountable]a test in which students write down what is being read to them, especially in language lessons

Word Originmid 17th cent. originally meaning the action of giving orders : from late Latindictatio(n-), from the verb dictare.Extra examplesHer secretary is very good at taking dictation.I find it difficult to write letters from dictation.I wrote some letters at his dictation.The teacher gave them a dictation.We did a French dictation in class.We had some very difficult words in our dictation.